Manchester Man Indicted After DUI Crash In Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — A Manchester man has been indicted on charges of aggravated assault and assault by automobile in connection with a November 2020 crash in Berkeley that seriously injured a South Toms River woman, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

William Andujar, 49, of Whiting was arrested Nov. 24 in the Nov. 2 crash in Berkeley Township where he rear-ended a car driven by Susan Ewing, 44, of South Toms River, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

Andujar was driving west on Pinewald Keswick Road about 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 in a 2010 Honda CRV when he hit the 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by Ewing from behind, sending both cars off the road into the woods, Billhimer said.

Lab results of a blood draw taken that night showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .129 percent at the time his blood was drawn, which is over the state's legal limit of .08, Billhimer said.

Ewing sustained serious injuries and was flown to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune. Ewing was released and is still recovering from those injuries, Billhimer said.

Andujar was also taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and a search warrant was obtained for a draw of his blood.

The prosecutor's office received the results on Nov. 23, Billhimer said, and they showed a significant quantity of methadone in Andujar's system in addition to the alcohol.

Andujar was arrested and initially charged with assault by automobile on Nov. 24. An additional charge of aggravated assault was filed on Dec. 8. Andujar has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since his arrest.

On July 8, Billhimer announced that Andujar was indicted for these charges.

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